The Queen's Knickers by Nicholas Allan

It's a busy year for the Queen - she has lots of important events to attend. Meanwhile, a little girl is wondering what knickers Her Majesty will choose to wear on a school visit! Will they be her 'at home' knickers - adorned with corgis - or her 'garden party' knickers, or perhaps her woolly Balmoral ones...? Both children and adults will love this very special and endearing insight into a child's imagination, from the best-selling author-illustrator of "Father Christmas Needs A Wee" and "Jesus' Christmas Party". Recently, the Queen visited a nursery in Norfolk and enjoyed a display based on the book: "...just to make it special, there was one element that was not quite so traditional: pants. These were not just any pants, either. They were the Queen's Knickers, and at Dersingham Infant and Nursery School, in Norfolk, they were put on special display in honour of their royal visitor. The Royal Laundry, inspired by "The Queen's Knickers", a children's book by Nicholas Allan, included a washing machine, a line of bloomers...and an array of pants decorated by the children". (Valentine Low, "The Times").

This book was written in 1993, and has been republished and repackaged to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. I have never read this book before but I think it is just as funny now as it would have been when originally written.

This book is perfect for a young child - Reception children (age 3-5) will love it. As with anything that mentions pants or knickers, it will get them laughing all through story time. Children seem fascinated by knickers and while reading the story I could imagine my daughter at that age wondering the same question 'just what knickers does the queen wear for special occasions?'

The story is accompanied by fantastic, child like illustrations, which tell the story perfectly. The pictures will grab young children's attention and will have them laughing as they see all the different patterns and styles of knickers the Queen may own! 

I think this is a great book for children this Jubilee year and would make a great gift or addition to a class book corner.

Thank you to the publishers, Random House Children's Books, for sending me the review.